Greater Hickory Golf Classic Back on Course
Published Jul 03, 2008
R.W. Eaks was the 2007 champion of the Greater Hickory Golf Classic.
The Greater Hickory Golf Classic returns to Hickory as part of the PGA Champions Tour.
The event draws 80,000 to 90,000 spectators annually, which is a boon to local businesses as well as charities.
“Each year we donate to a variety of charities,” says Jim Correll, executive director for the Greater Hickory Classic.
In 2003, the Greater Hickory Classic established the Greater Hickory Classic Foundation to donate all net proceeds from the tournament to charities across the Catawba County region. Recipients of the $400,000 raised through the foundation have included the Children’s Advocacy Center, Catawba County United Way, Hickory Jaycees and Hickory Metro Sports Commission.
Presented by Kia Motors, the weeklong event is part of the PGA Champions Tour. Players 50 and older participate in the event at Rock Barn Golf & Spa.
“This is the sixth consecutive year with Rock Barn,” Correll says. “Once golfers reach the age of 50, they participate in the Champions part of the tour. Some play until they can’t anymore.”
Played on the 18-hole Jones Course, the 7,046-yard course opened in 2002 and has been named America’s Fourth Best Course in its category by Reader’s Digest. It was also named best new course in the state by the Professional Golfers Association.
Story by Hollie Deese
Photo by Courtesy of Glenn Fox
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